PhD Studentship: Re-imagining Engineering Design

Form, topology and chemistry of supplies and constructions are the elements to realize multifunctionality. Combining mechanical and thermal, or permeability and bio-instructive properties in the identical high-performance product require novel design, manufacture, and validation strategies, each in silico and experimentally. Historically this course of takes quite a lot of time, it’s gradual, and infrequently the choice to progress from design ideas to prototype is taken with out a full set of data.

Wouldn’t or not it’s nice to have a “cyber engine” that would information the design and manufacture phases, as a substitute of getting to depend on trial-and-error assessments? Might Machine Studying-based instruments assist course of parameter optimisation? It will result in right-first time product realisation, with the corresponding efficiencies in capital funding, saving time and minimising waste and assets consumed.

This mission is looking for candidates with a profound curiosity within the design, manufacture and validation of excessive performing light-weight, multifunctional merchandise. We’re on the lookout for candidates who’re each within the simulation features of the work in addition to the experimental work. The candidate might be becoming a member of a multidisciplinary crew in a lab the place we design, make and check supplies and constructions.

This PhD will expose the profitable candidate to a myriad of stories strategies and far sought-after expertise demanded by Business, together with the next:

Design of experiments, information harvesting/evaluation and interpretation of outcomes to derive perception.

Growth of novel processing manufacturing strategies that permit the realisation of latest design options

Modelling strategies on the macro scale, that may inform the route of experimental exercise (e.g. finite aspect simulations and numerical computations)

Bodily, mechanical and supplies characterisation strategies

Knowledge-driven approaches to help course of parameter optimisation

Administration (together with self-management) strategies, scaffolded by the ‘Transition Zone’ ethos that helps Researchers’ skilled growth.